The Joy of Snapshot Photography
Look at how beautiful the sky is during dawn—so gloomy, so sublime. This morning, as I photographed out the window of the bus, I was thinking about why I love snapshot photography, why I prefer the snapshot.
Liberation Through the Snapshot
There’s something so liberating about snapshotting your way through life. I always keep my camera in my front right pocket. What I’m photographing might seem like nothing to someone else, but to me, it brings so much meaning—and that’s what matters, right?
“The point of photography is to give your life deeper meaning and purpose.”
When I think about the word purpose, meaning to move forward, the snapshot reminds me to make more photographs. It motivates me. It’s in my legs, in the movement of my body. While moving my body and embracing change each day, I photograph that flux of life.
Flux and Change
Snapshot photography embodies flux and change because it’s spontaneous, fluid, and not so serious. There’s a democratic aspect to it.
“The fact that anybody can pick up a camera and go out there to make beautiful works of art brings me joy.”
The snapshot is accessible to everyone. That’s what makes it special. For me, it’s not about making a “good” or “bad” photograph—it’s about making a photograph that represents my soul, my spirit, how I perceive the world, and how I feel about things emotionally.
A Visual Diary of the Soul
“What if the photograph becomes a self-portrait of the photographer?”
This is how I see snapshots. Instead of trying to impress others, I’m capturing how I experience the world. Each photograph asks questions. Each picture makes me wonder and explore. And through this process, I find joy.
“Joy is the ultimate feeling to experience in life.”
The Magic of Photography
Snapshot photography feels like magic. It gives me the ability to abstract reality. When I make photographs, I’m not trying to document what life is; I’m exploring what life could be.
I love using high-contrast black and white baked into the camera—it lets me play with light and shadow, creating my own world. It’s not about reality; it’s about imagination.
Endless Possibilities
This is a process I can do endlessly for the rest of my life. It’s why I’ve never been happier as a photographer. Everywhere I look, there’s a potential photograph. I see squirrels climbing in trees, silhouetted against the sky, and think, Maybe I could get that. I see looming branches, so beautiful, and I want to capture them.
Photography as Play
“Set your body in motion without any preconceived notions of what you will find.”
This is what makes photography so liberating for me. It’s about curiosity, play, and joy. It’s about going slow and letting life flow.
With snapshot photography, I feel like anything is possible.
Final Thoughts
I’m not trying to evangelize this approach, but I just wanted to share how much joy it brings me.
“When I have a camera and the ability to make a very simple snapshot, I feel like anything is possible.”
Find what works for you. For me, this is the way forward. It gives my life purpose and fills me with happiness. Life is outside your window—go out, explore, and photograph what speaks to you.